Laughter is the Best Medicine
The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter
Humor is infectious. The
sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or
sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases
happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the
body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy,
diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of
all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use
Laughter is
strong medicine for mind and body
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict.
Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into
balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes,
connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and
renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for
surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both
physical and emotional health.
Laughter is good for your
health
§ Laughter relaxes
the whole body. A good,
hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed
for up to 45 minutes after.
§ Laughter boosts
the immune system. Laughter
decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting
antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
§ Laughter triggers
the release of endorphins, the
body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of
well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
§ Laughter protects
the heart. Laughter
improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help
protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Laughter and
humor help you stay emotionally healthy
Laughter makes you feel good.
And the good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after
the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook
through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.
More than just a respite from
sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new
sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or
even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making you feel better. And
laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and
readies you to smile and join in the fun.
The link between laughter and
mental health
§
Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
§ Laughter helps
you relax and recharge. It
reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and
accomplish more.
§ Humor shifts
perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less
threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which
can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
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